glx slow with compiz - why?

[Juergen]

Problem: Compiz works, but very slow
Solution: not a clue ;)

System:
Debian x86_64 GNU/Linux lenny (sid)
OpenGL renderer string: GeForce 6150/PCI/SSE2
OpenGL version string: 2.1.1 NVIDIA 100.14.23

glxgears
with KWin:11031 frames in 5.0 seconds = 2206.012 FPS
with compiz: 1254 frames in 5.0 seconds = 250.637 FPS

compiz-manager --help
...
Checking for Xgl: not present.
...

var/log/Xorg.0.log
(II) Module glx: vendor="NVIDIA Corporation"
compiled for 4.0.2, module version = 1.0.0
Module class: X.Org Server Extension
ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 0.1
(II) NVIDIA GLX Module 100.14.23 Thu Oct 4 11:10:53 PDT 2007
(II) Loading extension GLX
...
(II) Initializing extension GLX

I've tried many options for the nvidia without any changes.
I think compiz can't use the Xgl, but i don't know why. Any ideas?

[moenchmeyer]

I just want to confirm the effect.
On my system (Opensuse 10.2; AMD X2 Athlon 4800+; Nvidia 7800GTX) it is even more dramatic:
* without compiz: 15900 fps
* with compiz: 59.6 fps.

Really strange and annoying - I have not seen that during the Beryl times.

----------------------------------------
Revised by moenchmeyer, 02.11.2007:
Please see my next post for a correction !
The above statement is only true for "sync to vblank = on" in the Nvidia OpenGL settings !

[moenchmeyer]

Sorry - I unfortunately must correct my statement from yesterday.

I checked some nvidia settings on my system again this morning. I had experimented with vsync and had used the Nvidia X server settings application to activate "sync to vblank" under the section "OpenGL settings".

Turning this setting off I actually see the following fps values for glxgears:
(KDE 3.5.8, nvidia driver ...100.14.19)

Test situation 1:
------------------
Plain KDE, Compiz + XGL deinstalled + any KDE transparency effects for windows turned off

kwin, glxgears-window visible on desktop : 14159 fps.
glxgears-window not visible (minimized) : up to 19821 fps.

Test situation 2:
--------------------
plain KDE, no compiz, nvidia sync to vblank off, KDE transparency effects on, some transparent window on the screen

glxgears-window visible : 4000 fps - 5200 fps
glxgears-window minimized : up to 19600 fps


Test situation 3:
------------------
compiz-fusion active, no XGL, but nvidia extensions, some emerald theme, nvidia sync to vblank off, KDE transparency effects off

glxgears-window visible : 5870 fps - 9075 fps
(the frame rate depends strongly on
the number of open windows and general activity on the desktop)

glxgears-window minimized : up to 19763 fps


Test situation 4:
--------------------
compiz + emerald active, nvidia sync to vblank off, KDE transparency effects on some transparent window on the screen

glxgears-window visible : 4000 fps - 8427 fps
glxgears-window minimized : up to 19600 fps


Test situation 5:
--------------------
nvidia sync to vblank on + compiz option sync to vblank on:

Plain KDE : ca. 60 fps
compiz active: ca. 60 fps


Summary:
-------------
The activation of compiz-fusion reduces the fps rate on my system by a factor between 0.6 to 0.3 of the plain KDE performance. But this is not so dramatic as in your case.
The 60 fps value I mentioned in my previous post resulted from a "sync to vblank" setting in the Nvidia OpenGL parameters.

[Juergen]

thanks for the information.
I can confirm the 60 fps value with "sync to vblank.

If i start compiz without "indirect rendering" the fps rate of glxgears is nearly the same as with kwin.
But still it's all very slow.
If i want to move a window in compiz, the pointer nearly needs 2 seconds until it change.
-> So maby it has nothing to with glx.

Also i tried the "loose binding". It is even slower and the tabs dont work anymore.

Everything seems to work fine, accept the speed.

It is certainly only a small adjustment or change. But i don't know what else i can do.
Any hints or tips?

[moenchmeyer]

Unfortunately, I have Debian only running in a VMware environment. No chance for a 3D desktop there.
Would my xorg.conf file + the X11 log from my machine (Opensuse, x86_64) help to analyze your problem? (As these files are somewhat long I would prefer to send them directly via mail - but your mail address is not published in this forum).

[Juergen]

I build in another grafik card - nvidia 6200 pci-express. I made no change in the settings.

The result:

glxgears
in KWin: 8464 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1692.727 FPS
in compiz: 9087 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1817.304 FPS

Everything works well! Even the speed.

So there must be something special with the onbord nvidia 6150.
Because of the connector and the quality of the picture i would prefer the integrated 6150.
Maby i have to begin a new thread.

Does anyone have an onboard nvidia 6150 working with compiz?

I have an Asus M2NPV-VM Board.

Thanks for help.

[moenchmeyer]

When you search for "6150" in the NVidia linux forum you get quite a number of hits - some also related to compiz. Might be worthwhile to have a look into that forum, if you havn't done it yet. Here is the link:

http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=14